Automotive protection system with a telescoping protective sleeve between brake pedal and brake actuator

Abstract

Automotive vehicle protection system which includes a brake actuator, that is responsive to brake-activating and brake-deactivating signals generated by protective circuits in the vehicle. These circuits include a keypad for deactivating the brakes when a proper number is keyed into the keypad, a card reader for entering a proper number by means of a card, theft alarm circuits, engine monitor circuits and other miscellaneous circuits as may be found to be beneficial for protecting the vehicle.

We claim: 
     
       1. Automotive protective system comprising a brake actuator being responsive to at least one brake-activating signal and at least one brake-deactivating signal; a brake having a brake pedal; coupling means for coupling the brake actuator to the brake pedal; and intrusion-protection sleeve means enveloping said coupling means for preventing unauthorized disabling of the coupling means. 
     
     
       2. Automotive protective system according to claim 1 wherein said intrusion-protection sleeve means includes a plurality of telescoping tube sections, said tube sections extending from the brake pedal to the brake actuator. 
     
     
       3. Automotive protection system according to claim 2 wherein said brake actuator includes a cannister; a moving member airtightly dividing the interior of said cannister into an anterior and a posterior space, said moving member being in operative engagement with said coupling means; a vacuum valve having an output port in fluid communication with said anterior space, a first input port connected to atmospheric pressure and a second input port connected to a vacuum source; and valve control means being responsive to said brake-activating signal for fluidly connecting said output port with said second signal port, and to said brake-deactivating input for fluidly connecting said output port with said first input port. 
     
     
       4. Automotive protection system according to claim 3 wherein said coupling means include a flexible steel cable threaded through said telescoping tubular sections and connected at one end to said brake pedal and at the other end to said movable member. 
     
     
       5. Automotive protective system according to claim 3 wherein said valve control means include an electric solenoid; an electronic control system having an output connected to said solenoid, at least one input connected to said brake activating signal for activating said solenoid and at least one input connected to said brake deactivating signal for deactivating said solenoid. 
     
     
       6. Automotive protection system according to claim 1, wherein said brake activating signal includes at least one of a signal from a vehicle theft alarm system, a vehicle stop signal, and a reset signal from a start keypad; and said brake deactivating signal includes at least one of a clear signal from a card reader, a clear signal from a keypad, a clear signal from an engine monitor system and a clear signal from the vehicle ignition lock. 
     
     
       7. Automotive protection system according to claim 5, wherein said electronic control system includes a first OR-gate for combining said brake-deactivating signals; a second OR-gate for combining said brake-activating signals; and a flip-flop having inputs connected to outputs of said OR-gates for maintaining said OR-gate outputs. 
     
     
       8. Automotive protection system according to claim 1 wherein said coupling means include a lost-motion link. 
     
     
       9. Automotive protection system according to claim 8 wherein said lost motion link is enclosed within said intrusion-protection sleeve minus. 
     
     
       10. Automotive protection system according to claim 1 wherein said intrusion-protection sleeve means includes a most rearward telescoping tube section having an intrusion-protection end cap with an aperture for admitting said coupling means. 
     
     
       11. Automotive protection system according to claim 10, wherein said intrusion-protection end cap is attached by means of non-removable screws or rivets. 
     
     
       12. Automotive protection system according to claim 1 including a clamp secured by non-removable screws or rivets to said brake pedal.